State Dance Education Coordinator Distance Learning Initiatives
Perpich Center for Arts Education
Jessi Kolodziej
Education Associate
Cowles Center for Dance
and the Performing Arts
Christopher Yaeger
Teaching Artist Arts Coach & Consultant
Diane Aldis, M.Ed, BA, coordinates statewide professional development programs in dance, interdisciplinary work, and distance learning initiatives at the Perpich Center for Arts Education. Her work in arts education has been strongly shaped by her dual perspectives as a performing artist, and as an educator in K-16 settings. She teaches the core dance pedagogy course in the University of Minnesota Dance Program and in the teacher preparation program at Bemidji State University; she has also served as an External Examiner and Internal Moderator for the International Baccalaureate Dance Program since 2003. For over eighteen years, Ms. Aldis performed with dance companies in Europe and the United States including New Dance Ensemble where she performed work by Linda Shapiro, David Gordon, Douglas Dunn, Merce Cunningham, Pat Catterson, Wil Swanson and Marta Renzi among others. Her artistic work has been recognized through McKnight Fellowships and the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Grants as well as a Jerome Foundation Travel & Study Grant. Recent performances include “Sleepers” at Red Eye Theater in Minneapolis in June 2010 and in the dance film “Spin.” Email: Diane Aldis
Jessi Kolodziej, BA, is currently the Education Associate at the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts where she runs the distance-learning education program. Jessica is a graduate from Hamline University with a BA in theatre and dance. She also has her K-12 licensure in dance and theatre arts. Jessica has been an active member of the dance community since the age of 3, being a studio dancer for 16 years where she competed regionally and nationally. She danced for 4 years in college on the Dance Team and as a company member and choreographer on the Dance Ensemble. In 2008 Jessica was a company member with MinnesotaPerform Dance as a Starette. She has choreographed numerous community theatre musicals including St. Thomas Moore’s production of “Cinderella.” For the past two years Jessica has been the dance teacher at Stage Coach Theatre Schools in St. Louis Park.
Christopher Yaeger has more than twenty years of research and training in social and world dance. Through school residencies and faculty seminars, he brings spirited dance to students and a variety of curricula to educators. In his workshops he combines dance, theater and multicultural perspectives to recreate a variety of global celebrations. He is a roster artist for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Young Audiences, and was recognized as “Artist of the Year” by Young Audiences in 2008. Christopher has worked for nine years as a consultant and Teaching Artist for the Perpich Center for Arts Education, and teaches in the distance learning residencies for the Minnesota Shubert Center. He is the Founding Director of the Dance Hall Days Company, showcasing American dance and music from Ragtime to Rock and Roll. Christopher has taught in schools and community dance settings throughout Minnesota and as far away as China, the Czech Republic, Japan, Hungary, Norway, and South Korea.
Diane Aldis
State Dance Education CoordinatorDistance Learning Initiatives
Perpich Center for Arts Education
Jessi Kolodziej
Education AssociateCowles Center for Dance
and the Performing Arts
Christopher Yaeger
Teaching ArtistArts Coach & Consultant
Diane Aldis, M.Ed, BA, coordinates statewide professional development programs in dance, interdisciplinary work, and distance learning initiatives at the Perpich Center for Arts Education. Her work in arts education has been strongly shaped by her dual perspectives as a performing artist, and as an educator in K-16 settings. She teaches the core dance pedagogy course in the University of Minnesota Dance Program and in the teacher preparation program at Bemidji State University; she has also served as an External Examiner and Internal Moderator for the International Baccalaureate Dance Program since 2003. For over eighteen years, Ms. Aldis performed with dance companies in Europe and the United States including New Dance Ensemble where she performed work by Linda Shapiro, David Gordon, Douglas Dunn, Merce Cunningham, Pat Catterson, Wil Swanson and Marta Renzi among others. Her artistic work has been recognized through McKnight Fellowships and the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Grants as well as a Jerome Foundation Travel & Study Grant. Recent performances include “Sleepers” at Red Eye Theater in Minneapolis in June 2010 and in the dance film “Spin.” Email: Diane Aldis
Jessi Kolodziej, BA, is currently the Education Associate at the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts where she runs the distance-learning education program. Jessica is a graduate from Hamline University with a BA in theatre and dance. She also has her K-12 licensure in dance and theatre arts. Jessica has been an active member of the dance community since the age of 3, being a studio dancer for 16 years where she competed regionally and nationally. She danced for 4 years in college on the Dance Team and as a company member and choreographer on the Dance Ensemble. In 2008 Jessica was a company member with MinnesotaPerform Dance as a Starette. She has choreographed numerous community theatre musicals including St. Thomas Moore’s production of “Cinderella.” For the past two years Jessica has been the dance teacher at Stage Coach Theatre Schools in St. Louis Park.
Christopher Yaeger has more than twenty years of research and training in social and world dance. Through school residencies and faculty seminars, he brings spirited dance to students and a variety of curricula to educators. In his workshops he combines dance, theater and multicultural perspectives to recreate a variety of global celebrations. He is a roster artist for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Young Audiences, and was recognized as “Artist of the Year” by Young Audiences in 2008. Christopher has worked for nine years as a consultant and Teaching Artist for the Perpich Center for Arts Education, and teaches in the distance learning residencies for the Minnesota Shubert Center. He is the Founding Director of the Dance Hall Days Company, showcasing American dance and music from Ragtime to Rock and Roll. Christopher has taught in schools and community dance settings throughout Minnesota and as far away as China, the Czech Republic, Japan, Hungary, Norway, and South Korea.